“American Idol” will crown its tenth winner on Wednesday night and from the moment show host Ryan Seacrest calls either Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery’s name, the newest “American Idol” will embark on a life-changing journey.

Judging by past winners though, it’ll take the Season 10 champ a few beats for it all to sink in.

Season 7 winner David Cook, in 2008, was more than shocked, admitting to Access Hollywood backstage after the show that when he first heard his name called, he thought it was David Archuleta who had actually taken the title.

“I had my mind made up that I was taking second,” Cook told Access backstage following the finale. “I had it in my head, ‘All right they’re going to say his name, I’m just going to make sure that I congratulate him properly.’ When they said my name, I heard Archuleta, so I turned, then it processed as I was turning.”

“Everybody knew but me,” Sparks told Access the day after winning the Season 6 crown in 2007. “It was anybody’s game I thought and we were standing up there and I would’ve been fine with whatever happened.”

After a whirlwind press tour, including an exclusive performance at Access Hollywood, it’ll be back to preparing for another type of tour – this time across the country, performing with the winner’s fellow former contestants, something original “Idol,” Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson said provided some much needed support.

“It is weird touring because we’re like already at arenas. I’ve been to concerts and most of the ones I go to can’t even make it to arenas. They’re like small bands and stuff, " Clarkson told Access in 2002 as she prepped for the “Idol” tour. “It’s kind of crazy because we’re doing like 30-something shows in a month-and-a-half, that’s pretty. fun. The fact that I like the other nine people [is good to], so it’s cool that I get along and I have nine other people to lean to lean on.”

And the perks start right away for the winner too – from invites to award shows and premieres, to features in magazines praising the winner for a host of reasons.

Not long after his 2008 win, Cook landed on People magazine’s “Sexiest Bachelors” list.

“It’s cool, it’s a pretty huge honor. You know, you grow up walking through the supermarket and you see People magazine and it’s like Brad Pitt, George Clooney,” he told Access at the time.

“It’s not a bad thing,” the humble star said. “But I don’t know, it’s new territory.”

Clarkson also carved out time to film a music video for her debut single, “A Moment Like This,” but it wasn’t easy.

“We had the whole MTV crew back there doing the whole ‘Making The Band’ stuff and I burnt my feet,” Clarkson laughed in an interview with Access in 2002. “People don’t realize what goes into a video, like little things, like you have to keep singing through stuff, like when you’re foot is on fire from the candle floating in the water.”

And after the tour and the rush of that first single, it’s off to the studio to start work on the winner’s debut album.

“It’s been really interesting, I have gotten into the writing process and for me, I want to put out music that that is still, you know, popular music, but also kind of strays from that [traditional] pop music vibe,” Cook told Access in 2008 as he was gearing up to hit the studio. “I have come up with some really cool songs that I am really proud of. I feel like I am in a place musically that I have never been before so it’s interesting. This record will be something.”

For Kelly Clarkson, life after “American Idol” was more than just an album – she got the starring role in a movie – “From Justin To Kelly” – and she told Access about trying to balance the two – acting and recording — back in 2003.

“The only tough thing about it is I’m trying to fit in, well I am fitting in, my album at the same time, but I don’t mind doing it on my off days, or I get some Saturdays off… I don’t mind working,” she explained.

Season 4’s Underwood even planned to follow it all up with something rather studious.

“I have one semester left, I think I can take online classes,” Carrie told Access of finishing her bachelor’s degree — something she did a year after her win, in 2006.

But beyond albums and tours, appearances and features, the newly crowned “Idol” should get themselves some good advice.

Clarkson told Access in 2003 that she got her biggest tip from her own idol — Reba McEntire.

Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery

"American Idol's" season 10 finale came down to two country singers, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, with McCreery claiming the crown. The finale was held at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 25. A record-setting 122 million votes were cast.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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James Durbin and Judas Priest

Fourth-place finisher James Durbin, right, once again gave metal a chance by performing with the heavy metal band Judas Priest. Durbin sang with band frontman Rob Halford on the songs "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law."
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Lady Gaga

Steven Tyler

"Idol" judge Steven Tyler waved to the crowd as he walked onstage during the results show. His first season on the show was an eventful one.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Beyonce and the girls

Marc Anthony and J.Lo

Marc Anthony, who appeared on an earlier episode of "American Idol" this season, came back to perform during the finale. His wife, judge Jennifer Lopez, joined him onstage to show off her dance moves.
(Kevin Winter/american Idol 2011 / Getty Images Contributor)
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The top guys

The top six guys performed a group number during the "Idol" finale. They are, from left, Scotty McCreery, James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk and Casey Abrams.
(Chris Pizzello / AP)
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Tom Jones and the guys

Carrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina

Season four winner Carrie Underwood performed her hit song, "Before He Cheats," with finalist Lauren Alaina during the "Idol" season 10 finale.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Does whatever a spider can

Even Spiderman showed up for the finale. Bono and The Edge of U2 and Reeve Carney were caught in the superhero's web.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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And the winner is ...

Finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina held each other for support as host Ryan Seacrest prepared to announce the winner of "American Idol" season 10.
(Chris Pizzello / AP)
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Rooting for Scotty

Fans celebrate Scotty McCreery's victory during a viewing party held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. McCreery is from Garner, N.C.
(Jim R. Bounds / AP)
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Here comes the confetti

The new 'Idol'

Scotty McCreery celebrates after being named the winner. The judges had all given a slight edge to Lauren Alaina the night before the results show.
(Michael Becker / Reuters)
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Editor's note:
This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.